Rock Rummy
Objective
Students will review properties and common uses of minerals and rocks.
From sparkling gems to ordinary gravel, rocks and minerals are
everywhere. While students enjoy investigating different minerals, they
may also be surprised to discover the many ways people use these
materials. In this game, students will learn and review the classification,
properties, and common uses of nearly 20 minerals and rocks.
1. Prepare for the game by making three sets of matching game
cards. Reproduce the Rock Rummy Game Cards reproducibles (pages
57–58) on cardstock for a total of 60 cards. Cut out the cards, and
laminate them for durability if you wish.
2. Introduce the game by taking students on a short walk around the
school grounds and having each student collect one rock. Back in
the classroom, divide the class into small groups. Give each group
a magnifying glass and each student an index card. Invite students
to examine their rocks with a magnifying glass and write their
observations on their index cards. They may describe properties
such as size, shape, weight, color, and texture.
3. Demonstrate how to test a rock for hardness by trying to scratch it
first with a fingernail, then with a penny, and finally with another
student’s rock. Have students record observations on their index
cards. Provide time for students to investigate each other’s rocks.
4. Discuss what students learned while observing the rocks. Point
out the fact that various rocks have different degrees of hardness
and this hardness can be measured. Introduce or review the Mohs
Scale of Hardness (page 56).
5. Discuss terms such as mineral and rock. Talk about the three
types of rock (e.g., igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic) and
how each is formed. If possible, let students examine common
products made from minerals and rocks (e.g., baby talc from
mineral talc, floor tile from sedimentary rock sandstone, pedicare
stick from igneous rock pumice).
6. Tell students they will play a rummy card game to review the
classification, properties, and common uses of minerals and rocks.
A group of two to four students may play at a time. Demonstrate
how to play the game before students play independently.
978-1-4129-5929-2
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Materials
•Rock Rummy Game
Cards reproducibles
•cardstock
•scissors
•magnifying glasses
•penny
•index cards
Science
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Tate_Games4_PCfinal_1_29_08.indd57 57
5
Reproducible
Mineral
4
Mineral
Flourite
Hardness
Scale
Common Use:
Mineral Collections
4
9
Common Use:
Fertilizer
Apatite
5
Mineral
Mineral
Hardness
Scale
Common Use:
Jewelry
Common Use:
Jewelry
Hardness
Scale
Corundum
9
Diamond
10 Hardness 10
Scale
3
8
Mineral
Common Use:
Cement
Calcite
Hardness
Scale
Mineral
Common Use:
Jewelry
Topaz
Hardness
Scale
3
8
2
7
Mineral
Common Use:
Plaster
Gypsum
Hardness
Scale
Mineral
Common Use:
Optical Lenses
Quartz
Hardness
Scale
2
7
Orthoclase
Hardness
Scale
6
1
Mineral
Common Use:
Baby Powder
Talc
Hardness
Scale
Mineral
1
Common Use:
Porcelain Sinks
6
Rock Rummy Game Cards
Engage the Brain: Games • Grade 4
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